Rutherglen Glencairn have reached the quarter-finals of the Junior Cup for the first time in nine years – and boss Willie Harvey is dreaming of lifting the trophy.
Glens defeated West of Scotland League First Division rivals Gartcairn 2-1 on Saturday to reach the last eight, a feat they last achieved in 2013 when they reached the semi-finals of the competition.
Their reward for dumping Gartcairn is a trip to Third Division side Larkhall Thistle on February 11, with Hurlford, Bellshill, Cumnock, Shotts, Glenafton and East Craigie completing the line-up.
Harvey insists his side are capable of beating any of the remaining sides and they hope to eclipse the success of the 2013 squad.
He said: “It wouldn’t have mattered who we got because we are capable of beating anybody on our day. Out of all the teams left in the draw, we would have quite happily taken anyone. Cumnock, Hurlford, Shotts... we wouldn’t have feared any of them.
“If we didn’t think we were capable of going all the way, I’d play half a team and save legs for the league games.
“We are in it to win and we are confident enough to say that we feel we could actually have a go at winning this trophy.
“We really do fancy having a go at it and we are in it to try and win it.”
However, he stressed Larkhall will pose a huge test for his side, despite being the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
He added: “It would be very remiss of us to decry Larkhall. They are always a team who will work really hard, no matter what league they are in.
“All through my career playing against them and managing against them, I’ve never, ever had an easy game against them.
“People will put us down as favourites but it is not as clear cut as everyone is expecting.
“We will show Larkhall all the respect they deserve.”
Comparing his current squad with the side he led to the semis in 2013, where they lost 2-1 to eventual champions Auchinleck Talbot over two legs, Harvey added: “I would say this squad is a little bit younger and a bit more naive than the squad we had in 2013.
“That squad had a lot more experience in it and had been together longer than this team we have right now.
“Our current team have been together for about two years, whereas the semi-final team had been together for four years plus.
“But this is a big thing for the club.”
Meanwhile, Glens' clash with Kilbirnie that was due to be played on Wednesday night was called off after a floodlight issue.
They are now due to travel to Renfrew in the West of Scotland Cup tomorrow, weather permitting.
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
